How to Do Things You Hate (Without Losing Your Mind)

 

Let’s face it—life isn’t all sunshine and hobbies. Whether it’s filing taxes, cleaning the garage, or making awkward phone calls, we all have tasks we dread. But what if you could train yourself to tackle these chores with less resistance and more confidence?

In this post, we’ll explore proven strategies to help you build the self-discipline needed to do the things you hate—and maybe even learn to appreciate them.

 

🔍 Why We Avoid Unpleasant Tasks

Avoidance is often rooted in:

 

Emotional discomfort: Tasks feel boring, stressful, or overwhelming.

 

Perfectionism: Fear of doing it “wrong” leads to procrastination.

 

Lack of clarity: Not knowing where to start makes it easier to delay.

 

💪 5 Strategies to Power Through

Reframe the Task Instead of “I have to,” say “I get to.” This subtle shift can reduce resistance and increase motivation.

 

Use the 90-Second Rule Emotional discomfort peaks for about 90 seconds. If you can sit with it briefly, it often fades.

 

Chop the job into snack-sized chunks you can tackle one at a time. Small wins build momentum.

 

Gamify the Process Turn it into a challenge. Time yourself, track progress, or compete with a friend.

 

Give yourself a mini celebration—whatever makes the grind worthwhile.

📘 Bonus Resource

Want to go deeper? Check out Peter Hollins’ book How to Do Things You Hate, which explores how self-discipline and discomfort can be harnessed to achieve anything